What’s a Good ACT Score in 2021?

When you’re applying to college, you want to know how you compare to other applicants at your dream schools. One factor colleges consider is your standardized test scores. Although most colleges have gone test-optional for this academic year, if you’ve had a chance to take the ACT, you’re probably asking yourself, “What’s a good ACT score?”

This answer depends on your definition of “good,” of course. We’ve broken down the different factors to consider, so you can decide for yourself.

What Is the Average ACT Score in 2021?

According to the National Norms for ACT Test Scores Reported During the 2020-2021 Reporting Year, ACT composite scores correlate to the following percentiles (with the 99th percentile indicating that you performed better than 99 percent of test-takers). 

The subsection averages and correlated percentiles are as follows:

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks 2021

The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks indicate a student’s “reasonable chance of success” in a credit-bearing, first-year college course at a typical institution. The ACT offers Benchmarks in six core subject areas linked to performance on corresponding ACT test scores. This year’s Benchmarks are:

Learn more about ACT College Readiness Benchmarks.

Basically, if you meet these benchmarks, you have a good chance of succeeding in a college class. Keep in mind, however, that these scores may not be enough to get you into your dream schools.

How to Set Your Target ACT Score

Different students have different strengths and abilities. Your target ACT score should depend on several factors, such as:

What’s Your Starting Point?

To determine where you’re starting from, take a practice test, simulating standard testing conditions, adhering to time constraints and the tools you’ll be able to have at your disposal during the real ACT. Score it and compare it to the corresponding percentiles. This will help you understand the score you might get without studying or preparation. 

If your score is low, don’t panic. Remember that this is without any preparation. You’ll be able to improve it by practicing; this is just your baseline. You’ll find tips on improving your score below.

What Colleges Do You Want to Attend?

Your target colleges also dictate your target score. Look at the chart below to find out the middle 50% ACT range at top universities. You should aim to be in the higher end of this range for your school — that is, above the 50th percentile of previously accepted students. For example, if the middle 50% range at a given school is 33-35, your composite score should be 34 or higher.

Bear in mind that changes in testing policies will affect your target score, such as the fact that many schools are test-optional due to COVID-19. Many schools also superscore, meaning that they’ll take your highest section scores from different test sittings to form a new composite score.

What Is the Average ACT at Top Schools?

Top 20 National Universities

Top 20 Liberal Arts Colleges

What to Do if Your Score Is Too Low

1. Study, study, study.

Focus on your weakest areas, based on your baseline practice test, to formulate your study plan. Make sure you set aside enough time to fit in practice sessions every day. We have plenty of resources to help you with your studying, too.

2. Take the test again.

Many college superscore, meaning that they will factor in only your highest section scores from different test sittings to form a new composite. Even if your schools don’t superscore, repeat testers generally do better and have an average composite score that’s 2.9 points higher than single-test takers. Still, you shouldn’t take the test more than 2-3 times. Your score is unlikely to improve after you take it a handful of times. 

If you’re not sure which schools superscore, review this list of colleges. Please also double-check with your school website, as policies are constantly changing.

3. Consider applying test-optional.

Because the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many students from being able to take the ACT and SAT, many colleges have gone test-optional for at least this academic year. If you receive disappointing scores, then you do have the option of omitting them from your application.

At CollegeVine, we suggest submitting your ACT score if it falls within three points of the 25th percentile at your target school. (Overall test scores and superscores are likely to be lower during this admissions cycle because most students were unable to take the test more than once.) Otherwise, don’t send them, and focus on improving other aspects of your application, like essays.

Note that this applies to this admissions cycle only. Colleges may change their policies or otherwise change course depending on their experience with this admissions cycle and the pandemic.

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